Unofficial fan site · not affiliated with Netflix or the show's producers · how we work

Fan theoryUpdated Nov 15, 2026 · 6 sources

Fan Theories: Shanks' Plans, Jumping Imu, and the Final War

Recent discussions on the r/OnePiece subreddit explore several major theories about the overarching plot and endgame of the series. Fans are debating why Shanks left Luffy behind despite knowing about the Nika Devil Fruit, whether the Straw Hat monster trio will team up against Imu, and if Blackbeard's prisoners will trigger a Marineford-style Final War.

Shanks, Luffy, and the Nika Fruit

On r/OnePiece, fans continue to question Oda's long-term plans for Shanks and Luffy. One fan theory points out that Shanks likely knew the true nature of the Nika Devil Fruit because he kept it close to him at the bar in the very first chapter. However, this raises the question of why Shanks did not take Luffy with him to protect both the boy and the fruit, especially after the incident that happened on the mountain.

Another post on the subreddit highlights Oda's attention to detail regarding Shanks and his crew. According to the post, in chapter 1054, just before Shanks demonstrates his WiFi Haki feat, members of his crew chat about Luffy in a way that foreshadows Luffy's transformation.

Teaming Up Against Imu and Ancient Symbolism

Speculation about the final battles is also a major topic among fans. A user on r/OnePiece shared a theory that Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji will eventually fight Imu together and bring them down. This idea stems from the dynamic where Zoro acts as Luffy's sword and Sanji serves as his shield.

Other community theories look to real-world history to decode the mysteries of the Empty Throne. One r/OnePiece post draws parallels between the Pyramidion of Amenemhat III—described as the invisible capstone of a black pyramid—and the figure who sits atop the Empty Throne, referring to them as the false Ra.

Marineford Parallels and the Final War

Fans are also theorizing about what will spark the Final War. A post on r/OnePiece notes visual similarities between two people related to Luffy who have been captured and imprisoned by Blackbeard. The theory suggests that this situation will trigger an incident similar to Marineford, bringing together the Marines, Luffy, his Grand Fleet, Bonney, Law, and possibly Yamato, Momo, and Kidd—if Kidd is still alive.

Looking back at the original Marineford arc, newer viewers on r/OnePiece are still debating character motivations from that conflict, particularly questioning why Garp chose to step in during the battle and whether later reveals explain his actions.

Two sides of the debate

Calculated Plans and Deliberate Parallels

  • Oda carefully plants details far in advance, such as Shanks' crew chatting about Luffy in chapter 1054 to foreshadow his transformation.
  • Repeating visual parallels around people related to Luffy being captured by Blackbeard point toward a deliberate Marineford-style trigger for the Final War.
  • The established roles of Zoro as Luffy's sword and Sanji as his shield set up all three to fight Imu together.

Unanswered Questions in Character Motivations

  • If Shanks knew about the Nika fruit in the first chapter, it remains unclear why he did not take Luffy with him to protect both Luffy and the fruit.
  • Key character decisions around major conflicts, like why Garp stepped in at Marineford, still leave readers stumped and searching for later explanations.

Your turn

How does this make you feel?

Poll: Which of these r/OnePiece fan theories do you find most convincing?

Vote to see what other fans think.

Why do you think Shanks chose to leave Luffy behind in Chapter 1 if he already knew the true secret of the Nika Devil Fruit?

Your take

  1. Loading opinions…

Sources

We summarise in our own words. Read the originals:

More from The One Piece

Fan theoryCan the One Piece Ending Deliver, and Will It Stop the Pop Culture World?Recent community discussions on r/OnePiece center on two major questions regarding the conclusion of the series: whether the reveal of the One Piece treasure can live up to hundreds of hours of buildup, and whether the finale will capture mainstream attention outside the anime and manga fandom.Fan theoryPre-Timeskip vs. Post-Timeskip: Did One Piece Peak at Water 7?A lively fan discussion on r/OnePiece explores whether the series reached its peak during the pre-timeskip Water 7 and Enies Lobby saga, or if the post-timeskip era holds the same quality with a shifted focus toward the overarching story.Fan theoryWhen Does One Piece Get Good? Fans Debate Episode 2 and 300A recurring debate in the r/OnePiece community centers on when the series truly hits its stride. While some fans argue the story is good by Episode 2 or the Arlong Park arc, others point to Episode 300, even as some viewers struggle to get past Episode 230 or Dressrosa.Fan theoryIs One Piece's Music Underrated While Its Sound Design Needs an Upgrade?Community discussions on r/OnePiece show a split in how fans view the franchise's audio, with some defending the musical score against criticism while others attempt their own sound design overhauls.